Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently constructing a diversion road that will link Tarlac City to New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, bypassing the 24.1-kilometer Manila North Road.
Already on the second phase of this multi-year project, the road concreting, widening and rehabilitation of Tarlac City Southwest Diversion Road began in 2020 and is expected to open and in full operation in 2022.
“The existing unpaved Tibag-Armenia via Tibagan-Balanti Diversion Road is currently being improved to serve as an alternate road to NCC and a shorter way to access Tarlac City to the adjacent provinces instead of driving via the Manila North Road,” Tarlac 1st District Engineer Erelina Santos explained.
The bypass road starts at Tarlac City-San Jose via Tibag-Burgos Road and ends at the Capas-San Jose-Mayantoc-Malacampa Road.
Its completed first phase, which was funded under General Appropriations Act of 2020, consists of widening of the 6.62-kilometer road, concreting of another 6.60 kilometers, and the rehabilitation of the 2.95-kilometer road section.
Additionally, a 40-linear meter bridge will also be constructed at Sta. 3+512 to Sta. 3+552 for a more seamless travel.
“Currently our office is working on the diversion road’s second phase, and as of date, we have completed at least 30 percent of the project based on its total cost,” Santos furthered. (CLJD-PIA 3)